KEYWORDS: High power microwaves, Data modeling, Performance modeling, Modeling and simulation, Intelligence systems, Situational awareness sensors, Systems modeling, Visualization, Computer simulations, Virtual reality
The proliferation of intelligent systems in today's military demands increased focus on the optimization of human-robot
interactions. Traditional studies in this domain involve large-scale field tests that require humans to operate semiautomated
systems under varying conditions within military-relevant scenarios. However, provided that adequate
constraints are employed, modeling and simulation can be a cost-effective alternative and supplement. The current
presentation discusses a simulation effort that was executed in parallel with a field test with Soldiers operating military
vehicles in an environment that represented key elements of the true operational context. In this study, "constructive"
human operators were designed to represent average Soldiers executing supervisory control over an intelligent ground
system. The constructive Soldiers were simulated performing the same tasks as those performed by real Soldiers during
a directly analogous field test. Exercising the models in a high-fidelity virtual environment provided predictive results
that represented actual performance in certain aspects, such as situational awareness, but diverged in others. These
findings largely reflected the quality of modeling assumptions used to design behaviors and the quality of information
available on which to articulate principles of operation. Ultimately, predictive analyses partially supported expectations,
with deficiencies explicable via Soldier surveys, experimenter observations, and previously-identified knowledge gaps.
As the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) introduce emerging technologies and new force structures to the
battlefield, soldiers will increasingly face new challenges in workload management. The next generation warfighter will
be responsible for effectively managing robotic assets in addition to performing other missions. Studies of future
battlefield operational scenarios involving the use of automation, including the specification of existing and proposed
technologies, will provide significant insight into potential problem areas regarding soldier workload.
The US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) is currently executing an
Army technology objective program to analyze and evaluate the effect of automated technologies and their associated
control devices with respect to soldier workload. The Human-Robotic Interface (HRI) Intelligent Systems Behavior
Simulator (ISBS) is a human performance measurement simulation system that allows modelers to develop constructive
simulations of military scenarios with various deployments of interface technologies in order to evaluate operator
effectiveness. One such interface is TARDEC's Scalable Soldier-Machine Interface (SMI). The scalable SMI provides a
configurable machine interface application that is capable of adapting to several hardware platforms by recognizing the
physical space limitations of the display device.
This paper describes the integration of the ISBS and Scalable SMI applications, which will ultimately benefit both
systems. The ISBS will be able to use the Scalable SMI to visualize the behaviors of virtual soldiers performing HRI
tasks, such as route planning, and the scalable SMI will benefit from stimuli provided by the ISBS simulation
environment. The paper describes the background of each system and details of the system integration approach.
The next generation Soldier will be required to provide control for both ground and air unmanned systems in support of future combat operations. Unmanned systems show a great deal of promise in that they will increase Soldier safety and enhance situational awareness, but based on their current state of autonomy, will require high levels of interaction from the operator. These interactions will range from platform and payload control while mounted within a combat vehicle to dismounted outside or some distance away from the vehicle, and will be performed in addition to his or her primary mission. In order to effectively work together with these systems, he or she must have a consistent interface that provides intuitive control of primary unmanned system functions and does not impose a unique training burden. In addition, the interface must be able to present information to the Soldier independent of display size and environmental conditions, minimize power and weight, and provide the proper control devices necessary to manipulate vehicle functions to include mobility, sensors and weapons.
This presentation will provide program information, goals and objectives of the Technology for Human-Robot Interactions in Soldier-Robot Teaming (HRI) Army Technology Objective (ATO). The intent of this program is to develop and demonstrate an intelligent scaleable interface for mounted and dismounted control of ground and air unmanned systems. Currently in the Army there are unique interfaces developed by engineers for each unmanned system fielded. This saddles the soldier with a training burden to learn specific interface operations prior to controlling the robot. By providing a consistent look and feel across various sized controlling devices, the training burden is reduced as well as the soldier's cognitive workload. Additionally, task analysis will be performed to identify workload barriers and bottlenecks, and intelligent agents will be developed and applied to reduce and/or automate the higher workload tasks. Lastly, this program will develop adaptive automation techniques to intelligently shed or introduce tasks at the appropriate time to the soldier to maintain optimal situational awareness and maximize the performance of the soldier-robot team.
KEYWORDS: Video, LCDs, Electronics, Head, Simulation of CCA and DLA aggregates, Interfaces, Sensors, Defense technologies, Flat panel displays, Control systems
The ground combat vehicle crew of tomorrow must be able to perform their mission more effectively and efficiently if they are to maintain dominance over ever more lethal enemy forces. Increasing performance, however, becomes even more challenging when the soldier is subject to reduced crew sizes, a never- ending requirement to adapt to ever-evolving technologies and the demand to assimilate an overwhelming array of battlefield data. This, combined with the requirement to fight with equal effectiveness at any time of the day or night in all types of weather conditions, makes it clear that this crew of tomorrow will need timely, innovative solutions to overcome this multitude of barriers if they are to achieve their objectives. To this end, the U.S. Army is pursuing advanced crew stations with human-computer interfaces that will allow the soldier to take full advantage of emerging technologies and make efficient use of the battlefield information available to him in a program entitled 'Vetronics Technology Testbed.' Two critical components of the testbed are a compliment of panoramic indirect vision displays to permit drive-by-wire and multi-function displays for managing lethality, mobility, survivability, situational awareness and command and control of the vehicle. These displays are being developed and built by Computing Devices Canada, Ltd. This paper addresses the objectives of the testbed program and the technical requirements and design of the displays.
Conference Committee Involvement (1)
Display Technologies and Applications for Defense, Security, and Avionics V
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